Spurs can edge out Viola, Reds and Man Utd to rule at home in Europa League

Liverpool v Augsburg

Europa League last 32, second leg

Thursday, February 25th

Kick-off: 18:00 GMT

Anfield, Liverpool

Live on BT Sport Europe

Reds seek home ruling over Augsburg

After a goalless first leg in Germany, Jurgen Klopp’s injury-plagued Liverpool side will look to overcome Augsburg at Anfield and book a place in the Europa League last 16, having lost just one of their last 10 outings in all competitions on home soil.

The Reds were held to a 0-0 draw first time around but have their encouraging home form to rely on this time out, with the Merseysiders 7/4 from Coral to net three or more goals in front of their own supporters during normal time.

Although, the visitors have been impressive on their travels recently, losing on just one occasion on the road in nine previous matches, and Markus Weinzierl’s men are 7/1 to cause an upset at Anfield.

Coutinho backs Klopp effect at Anfield

Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho is 6/4 to dispatch within 90 minutes on home turf, having impressed in recent outings, and has praised the effect that his boss is having on the club.

“It feels like we are moving in the right direction under him and we believe we can fight for the big prizes and enjoy some special moments with the fans,” stated Coutinho.

“In training, we are working hard and enjoying his methods, which are helping to make us better players. Klopp has put his ideas forward and they are helping to make me an even better player.”

Daniel Sturridge is 10/3 to open proceedings in his latest appearance since returning from an injury lay-off, though Joe Gomez, Joe Allen, Danny Ings and Brad Smith will miss out with knocks, while Martin Skrtel may make a comeback.

For the visiting Bundesliga outfit, Brazilian striker Caiuby is a key threat at 7/2 to strike anytime, with Erik Thommy 5/1 to get on the scoresheet in normal time in this crucial second leg encounter.

Tottenham v Fiorentina

Europa League last 32, second leg

Thursday, February 25th

Kick-off: 20:05 GMT

White Hart Lane, London

Live on BT Sport ESPN

Tottenham look to build upon away goal

Having seen their FA Cup dreams come to a halt in the defeat to Crystal Palace, Tottenham will look to keep their Europe League hopes alive and capitalise on their away goal in their second leg clash with Serie A side Fiorentina.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs have mounted a late Premier League title charge, which is their Argentine boss’ key focus, but a Nacer Chadli penalty in their 1-1 stalemate in Italy has boosted European prospects and they are 15/8 to triumph to nil during 90 minutes.

Although, Paulo Sousa’s Florence-based side boasts an encouraging record in away games against English opposition, having only lost twice in 11 games, and the visitors are 7/2 to prevail at White Hart Lane.

Alli calls for instant recovery

Having surprisingly exited the FA Cup at the hands of Palace, England international midfielder Dele Alli has urged his teammates to bounce back strongly and put their misery behind them on home turf.

“Our mentality at the moment is to want to win every game and there is a lot of disappointment after that result [against Palace], but we have to pick ourselves up,” stated Alli, who is 7/4 to net anytime.

“We have to work hard in training now, push ahead and look forward to the next game. Fiorentina is a massive game. We want to get back into form and we want to win on Thursday.”

Clinical marksman Harry Kane is a huge miss for Spurs through injury, though Christian Eriksen is 2/1 to score in normal time after a recent surge in form, while Fiorentina forwards Josip Ilicic and Mauro Zarate are 7/2 and 2/1 to get on the scoresheet respectively.

Manchester United v Midtjylland

Europa League last 32, second leg

Thursday, February 25th

Kick-off: 20:05 GMT

Old Trafford, Manchester

Live on BT Sport 2

Man Utd target second leg comeback

Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United were stunned 2-1 by Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie, and the Red Devils will look to overturn that shocking result at Old Trafford to spare an embarrassing European exit.

Anthony Martial’s away goal against Midtjylland, who won the Danish league title for the first time last season, has given the hosts every chance of reaching the last 16, but a long injury list is a problem for Van Gaal’s men.

The Red Devils are without an abundance of senior players, including skipper Wayne Rooney, David de Gea and Chris Smalling, which could feed their Danish opponents hope of another upset at 12/1, though United are 29/10 to net four or more goals after their comfortable victory over Shrewsbury.

Mata rallies Red Devils

With an away goal to build on, Man Utd playmaker Juan Mata, who is 6/4 to strike anytime after his goal against Shrewsbury, has urged his side to bounce back and push for success this season.

“The most important thing in these types of games is the attitude and if you are ready for the battle, you mostly win and we did that at Shrewsbury,” stated Mata.

“The goal is to improve in the last third of the season, because there’s nothing impossible in football. We can still finish the season fighting for trophies and qualifying to be in Europe the next year.

“We have a home tie in the FA Cup quarter-finals, we have the possibility of a comeback in the Europa League after our bad game in Denmark in the first leg, and there are still some weeks in the Premier League to try to shorten the gap with other teams and fight for the Champions League spots.”